• World Cup qualifying

Lampard ruled out of San Marino encounter

ESPN staff
October 11, 2012
Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard will both be missing from England's starting XI on Friday © PA Photos
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Frank Lampard will miss England's World Cup qualifier with San Marino after withdrawing from the squad with a knee injury.

However, he will link up with his Three Lions team-mates again on Sunday to have his fitness assessed ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifier away to Poland on Tuesday.

With captain Steven Gerrard suspended following his sending off against Ukraine, Lampard's knock leaves England light of experience in midfield and there is an early suggestion that Roy Hodgson could take the opportunity to play Wayne Rooney there.

The Manchester United striker, 26, was handed a deeper role by Sir Alex Ferguson for the 3-0 victory against Newcastle at the weekend and has previously discussed the option of taking up this role permanently.

He said: "I get more of the ball, I'm involved loads and, after one game, I even think about playing there permanently, but only later in my career. Once I feel that I haven't got the sharpness needed to get away from defenders, I'll probably drop back into midfield for a couple of seasons so I can still influence the game."

Rooney's United team-mates Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley, and Manchester City's James Milner, are also in the squad as Hodgson prepares to shuffle his pack against the minnows.

One further player to miss the game will be Lampard's club colleague, Ryan Bertrand, who has been hit by illness.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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